NOVPUBMeanwhile, Erica interrogated Sherry about Princess Aracelle.
"So, how many times did they do it?" Erica whispered, her straightforward question making Sherry's face turn beet red. "Did she eat Zion up, or did Zion eat her up?"
"I don't know," Sherry replied. "I decided to give them some time alone since it was their last night together."
"I see." Erica nodded. "Well, as long as she knows the hierarchy, then things will be fine."
Suddenly, he heard the sound of a door closing, making the Sorceress look in the direction of the bedroom.
"That girl…" Erica didn't know if she should laugh or cry, thinking how much the Saintess, whom everyone loved, was a bona fide Zion addict. "I guess she forgot the meaning of moderation."
It seemed that kissing him wasn't enough to fill up Shana's Zion Gauge, so she dragged him to her bedroom to get a full tank.
Sherry, who had more or less anticipated this to happen, decided to talk to Erica about important matters while waiting for the Saintess to finally calm down and release Zion, who had decided to fulfill his lover's demand.
"Princess Aracelle asked me to thank you and Shana on her behalf," Sherry said. "She said she promises to return this favor in the future."
"I see." Erica smiled. "Well, then. Can you tell me the general mood of everyone in Casimir City? According to the continental energy reading, the Gates will open in two to three days. Everyone here is feeling anxious because we are one of the cities near the front lines."
"Is that why you also asked Zion to come here?" Sherry smiled. "You're feeling anxious too, right?"
"I won't deny it," Erica admitted. "After everything we've been through together, having him around calms my nerves. Also, I kept on having this bad feeling that wouldn't go away no matter what I do."
Sherry nodded because she felt the same way. Being with Zion made her feel like everything was going to be fine.
This belief had cemented inside her mind over the years that they had stayed together.
A few minutes later, the two ran out of things to talk about, so Erica opened the TV to watch the news.
The protests against the Ashford and Stallard Clans were no longer being aired on TV as if it never happened in the first place.
Reporters also didn't dare to come close to the headquarters of these two families after some of their colleagues were detained by them. At the moment, they were even behind bars for the crime of "trespassing on private property".
This show of force made everyone feel fearful, so their companies and organizations decided to no longer pursue the matter.
Also, there were rumors spreading that the two Clans were recalling their Elite Wanderers, which made the public feel fearful. The former might use these forces to attack anyone badmouthing the two Monarch Clans.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Erica said as she switched between different news stations. "It seems that the loud voices have been forcefully silenced."
"They could have also been eliminated behind the scenes," Sherry commented. "Assassinated might be a more fitting word. The Monarch Clans doesn't want anyone to look down on them."
Erica nodded because the Monarch Clans were very capable of such a thing. "Still, can we really do this? Two of the Monarch Clans have withdrawn their support. The upcoming battles will be extremely hard."
"Don't worry," Sherry replied. "Zion said that with or without the Ashford and Stallard Clans, the conclusion of this war will be within an acceptable range."
Sherry then told Erica about the preparations Thirteen had made right after the two Monarchs had returned to the Sirius Continent.
The Sorceress's expression turned serious upon hearing the news. Based on Sherry's report, it seemed Zion was preparing for a war beyond the Cygni Continent as well.
"I think he made the right decision to send Nautilus back to the Aldebaran Continent." Erica narrowed her eyes. "But will the Monarch Clans really do such a thing?"
"I'm sure they can." Sherry nodded. "That's why he sent one of his trump cards back to protect his family."
Erica felt disgusted at the thought of humans fighting against humans during a very important turning point in the history of humanity.
Instead of working hand in hand to fight a common threat, the Ashford and Stallard Clans were thinking of eliminating their competitors to further strengthen their hold over the world.
But since there was no proof of this happening, she could only curse under her breath. After all, her family was currently living in the residence that the Leventis Family had given them.
This meant that if a war against the Wanderers broke out, Erica wouldn't be there to save them from harm.
"Don't worry. They will be safe," Sherry said firmly. "Zion have already asked his parents to let your parents live with them for the time being. They are in the safest place in the Aldebaran Continent right now."
The Sorceress was finally able to breathe easier because her main worry was now gone.
A few hours later…
Thirteen and Shana left the room together, with the Saintess looking very happy and satisfied.
Erica could only smile in amusement because the two had obviously taken a bath together to remove any evidence of their lovemaking.
"Sherry told me a bit about your preparations in the Aldebaran Continent," Erica said. "Will that be enough?"
"It will be enough," Thirteen replied. "You don't have to worry about anything."
"Are you sure?"
"100% sure."
"Good." Erica nodded. "Since you are that confident, then I no longer have anything to worry about. So, what's the plan for our own war?"
"Nothing's final yet," Thirteen answered. "We need to assess the might of the Armies that will cross over to this side. Only after we get an understanding of how powerful each individual force is can we make our move.
"However, I planned to form some alliances when the right time comes. I have chosen the Skavari, House Pavareth, and the Azrakith Court."
The corner of Erica's lips twitched after hearing the word "Skavari".
"Are you sure about allying with those rats?" Erica asked with worry. "Aren't they dead-set on killing you right now?"
Since they already knew the kind of torture that Prince Zorren had suffered, they believed that there was no Jinn race that hated Zion more than the Skavari.
"You're right." Thirteen nodded. "But there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests."
"Well, you are smarter than I am, so I'll leave this to you," Erica commented before a mischievous smile appeared on her face. "I can understand why you have chosen House Pavareth.
'If Princess Aracelle said that you're her significant other, so her family might form an alliance with you… Or send a kill order for the crime of tainting their princess."
Thirteen smiled faintly. "Aracelle is smart. She will know what to do after she meets with her family."
"Shana is smart too." Erica countered. "But she turns into a complete idiot when she's alone with you. Also, her IQ seems to turn into liquid and drips down there when she thinks of you."
"Erica…" Shana glared at the Sorceress, who only smirked back at her.
"Fine. I won't spill your dirty secrets whenever you think of Zion at night, sheesh." Erica shook her head with a sigh, while Sherry's face turned bright red at what she was hearing.
Just as Zion was about to make his reply, his communicator rang, prompting him to glance at the name of the caller.
"Did something happen?" Thirteen asked.
"Several High-Tier Gates are emitting a powerful fluctuation," Tristan reported. "The Gates might open in a few hours, which is earlier than we calculated. All the City Fortresses have already been informed and asked to be on high alert."
As if waiting for Tristan to finish his words, a siren blared inside the city, asking everyone to go to their respective battle stations in preparation for war.
"Zion, make sure you are available at all times," Tristan stated. "This is going to be a long night."
"Understood," Thirteen replied before ending the call.
He then glanced at his three lovers, who were looking back at him with solemn expressions on their faces.
"Let's go to the command center," Thirteen ordered. "D-Day has finally come."
